Thursday, December 22, 2016

Cloud of Witnesses Reading Challenge 2017

The short version of this challenge requires that you read non-fiction by a dead Christian author. The long version is taken from Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV):

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

A few of us are reading it for The Well-Educated Mind Histories a little later this year, if you want some reading encouragement. Otherwise, have you read Confessions by Augustine? It was excellent. Plus it is like 1/3 the size of City of God.

Well, I've read most of his popular books except for The Four Loves and Reflections on the Psalms. But I have some of his scholastic works such as The Discarded Image and The Allegory of Love to read and I've bought compilations of some of his more obscure essays and reviews to read. Also those three huge volumes of his collected letters. Then I'll be finished. Oh, now you've reminded me about my C.S. Lewis Project. I really should participate in this challenge, shouldn't I?

You want me to drag you in, huh? You should just do it! I will say this: the rules are really lenient. You can read ANYTHING - so letters, essays, etc. - and you can read 2-3 or 5-6 or more. And you can add City of God, which hopefully we get to this year. That would cover the whole challenge in itself, I think. : )

You have to stop doing this Ruth! I'm signing up for this one, the Russian Lit, Reading the Histories (I might only manage one!)and Back to the Classics. Also reading through David Hick's Norms & Nobility over the year & Brona's Australia month in November. I should be able to cross list most of my choices or I won't get them done. And I'm not going to sign up for any more...

I know what you mean. You already committed to five challenges, though it helps when you can use one book for several challenges. I signed up for too many in 2016 and ended up dropping two challenges and falling short in two others; so at this time, I'm sticking with my three: TWEM Histories, Russian, and now this.